Cider Archives - Portland Food Map

2025 Maine Apple and Cider Season

September 1, 2025September 24, 2025 | Posted in Farming, Cider

Today is the first day of September and the unofficial start of the apple season. Fall is the perfect time to plan a Maine road-trip. See the guides below for where to find great orchards and heirloom apple varieties, Maine’s cider tasting rooms, apple events, and other pomological resources to help you enjoy all that the season has to offer.

The Maine Heirloom Apple Guide is a co-production with the intrepid apple expert Sean Turley at The Righteous Russet (instagram). It provides all the information you need to go out for a self-directed exploration of Maine orchards and the many heirloom apples they offer. Use it throughout the fall to go exploring so you can take advantage of the entire season.

The Guide to Maine Cider is a directory to 26 Maine cider producers. They’re located all over the state from Kingfield to Cornish and Portland to Hancock. Stop by cidery tasting rooms like Absolem in Winthrop, Bon Vent in Hancock, or at one of the retail shops highlighted in the guide to experience the taste of autumn in a glass.

Other Resources and Events:

Anoche – A cider bar located at 43 Washington Ave in Portland.
Out on a Limb – An heirloom apple CSA for consumers, and a wholesale source of apples for restaurants and bakeries. Contact them at info@outonalimbcsa.com to sign-up or for more information.
Maine Apple Sunday is taking place on September 14th all throughout the state. Check the event page for a list of all participating orchards.
An Apple Tasting takes place each year at Apres, the 2025 date is TBD.
The 6th Annual Apple Tasting at McDougal Orchards will be taking place in October, the specific date is TBD.
Great Maine Apple Day is taking place October 19th, noon – 4 pm, in Unity.
Maine Pomological Society – is the professional organization for Maine apple orchards. Their website has a directory of 50 apple orchards in 13 counties.
Maine Heritage Orchard is a 10-acre orchard run by MOFGA in Unity that is home to more than “360 varieties of apples and pears traditionally grown in Maine”.
For more information on Maine cider and cider makers see these articles in the Maine Sunday Telegram, Down East and Press Herald, from the Maine Farmland Trust.

Maine Apple and Cider Season

August 27, 2024September 16, 2024 | Posted in Farming, Cider

Sunday is the first day of September and it’s also the start of the Maine apple season. Here are guides to some outstanding apple orchards and a full list of Maine cider producers to help you plan some fun road-trips this Fall.

The Maine Heirloom Apple Guide is a co-production with the intrepid apple expert Sean Turley at The Righteous Russet (instagram). We hope this provides you with all the information you need to go out for a self-directed exploration of Maine orchards and the many heirloom apples they offer. Use it throughout the fall to go exploring so you can take advantage of the entire season.

The Guide to Maine Cider is a directory to 28 Maine cider producers. They’re located all over the state from Kingfield to Cornish and Portland to Franklin. Stop by cidery tasting rooms like Absolem in Winthrop to or stop in at one of the highlighted retail shops that stock good selections of New England and imported cider.

Other Resources and Events:

Out on a Limb Apple CSA
Anoche – Portland’s very own cider bar located at 43 Washington Ave
Maine Apple Camp (August 30th – September 1st)
Maine Apple Sunday (September 15th)
Apple Tasting at Apres (October 10th)
5th Annual Apple Tasting at McDougal Orchards in Springvale (October 19th, 5-7 pm)
Great Maine Apple Day (October 20th)
Maine Pomological Association
Maine Heritage Orchard
Cider Club Portland
For more information on Maine cider and cider makers see these articles in the Maine Sunday Telegram, Down East and Press Herald, from the Maine Farmland Trust.

Maine Cider & Review of Station 118

October 15, 2023 | Posted in Reviews, Cider

Today’s Maine Sunday Telegram includes a feature article on the fast growing Maine cider industry.

McGrath sees Maine’s robust food and beverage scene as a major force behind the state’s growing cider market. “Like in Oregon and Washington, part of it is there is an existing culture that celebrates apples. Maine just has a really rich cider culture,” he said. “The craft beer and local food scenes have created an atmosphere where consumers are excited to try the local cider.”

To learn more about Maine cider producers visit the Guide to Maine Ciders, and for information on Cider Club Portland read this article.

Today’s paper also includes a review of Station 118 in Thomaston.

Beef brisket is among Station 118’s stronger suits, especially pulled brisket seasoned with wonderful homemade pickled onions and a generous glug of chipotle-bourbon barbecue sauce (orders of magnitude better than all the other sauces at Station 118). Bundled into three overstuffed brioche-bun sliders ($22) and plated up with appealingly well-done fries, this plate is a must-order.

Maine Heirloom Apple Guide

September 7, 2022September 7, 2022 | Posted in Farming, Cider

September has arrived and with it the leading edge of the Maine apple season. Take a look at the updated Maine Heirloom Apple Guide for detailed information on where and when to find dozens of heirloom apple varieties grown at sixteen outstanding Maine orchards.

The orchard guide is a coproduction of Portland Food Map and the intrepid apple expert Sean Turley at The Righteous Russet (instagram). We hope this provides you with all the information you need to go out for a self-directed exploration of Maine orchards and the many heirloom apples they offer. Use it throughout the fall to go exploring so you can take advantage of the entire season.

For those of you who like to consume Maine apples in liquid form also check out our Guide to Maine Cider Producers—a list of the 26 cideries in Maine. Many have a tasting room that you might visit after a day of apple picking.

Tight Lines Cider

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020 | Posted in Cider

Blue Lobster Urban Winery has released Tight Lines Cider. Described as a British-style 6.4% abv cider that is light, and bone-dry, the limited 2020 release was pressed last fall with Macintosh and Macoun apples sourced from Maine. A secondary col fondo fermentation in the bottle results in a sparkling cider.

The release of Tight Lines brings the number of Maine cider producers up to 21—with at least six more in various stages of development. See our Guide to Maine Cider Makers for more information.